Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

Original poster

Sertraline or St Johns Wort?

25 replies

AdmiralOrangeroo · 10/03/2022 12:22

I've been prescribed sertraline because I'm struggling with anxiety and low mood. However, I'm scared to go on drugs that effect my brain, I'm just nervous that they won't improve the things I'm worried about so what's the point of them? I'm wondering if I should try SJW first as a sort of halfway house. Does anybody have experiences of either they'd mind sharing?

OP posts:

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 10/03/2022 12:25

I looked into St John's Wort in my 20s but realised it was incompatible with the contraceptive pill, so something to be mindful of there.

If you are on the pill - I noticed a massive improvement in my mood and outlook after I came off it.

Original poster

AdmiralOrangeroo · 10/03/2022 12:26

Not on the pill, great that you noticed an improvement on it!

OP posts:

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 10/03/2022 12:30

I'm not much help then sorry.

I also tried 5Htp in the past with good results, although I went a bit bonkers when I stopped taking it suddenly.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health

CurlyToStraight · 10/03/2022 13:03

I haven't been on Sertraline, but have been on Citalopram which is pretty similar. Please don't think of it as a "drug that will affect your brain". I was loathe to go on anything too, was brought up with the "you just need to pull your socks up" attitude which wasn't helpful. My doctor didn't have much of a bedside manner and got quite irritated with my attitude of not wanting to take anything. She basically said "Well, if you broke your leg, would you put it in plaster or would you just walk on it?!" and also "Do you take paracetamol for a headache?!" Her attitude was, well, of course you wouldn't struggle under those instances, why would you struggle with with depression (in my case, anxiety and low mood in yours), when you can take a small tablet which will help re-balance the chemicals in your brain and help you on a path to health. It really helped to see it that way - it's not messing with your brain in a bad way, it's adjusting the physical chemical imbalance which in turn will help you deal with the emotional and day to day matters. Please do give it a go or at least not dismiss it. Discuss your worries with your doctor and keep in touch with them if you don't start feeling improvements. There are lots of options open to you if you don't get benefit from Sertraline but just from personal experience, an SSRI was a life saving, life changing, game changer! Good luck and be kind to yourself.

springiscoming36 · 10/03/2022 13:06

I started taking sertraline about 3 weeks ago and can honestly say that it's already changed my life. I feel so much calmer and as a result, happier.

linerforlife · 10/03/2022 13:07

Never tried st johns wort but cannot rate Sertraline highly enough, it's been brilliant. FYI that St John's Wort is also a chemical that will impact your brain

Original poster

AdmiralOrangeroo · 10/03/2022 13:09

@CurlyToStraight thanks so much for your post

OP posts:

Original poster

AdmiralOrangeroo · 10/03/2022 13:10

So pleased to hear good things about sertraline, thanks for sharing!

OP posts:

CinnabarRed · 10/03/2022 13:12

In the nicest possible way - PP is absolutely right that SJW is also a chemical that changes your brain (if that's how you want to phrase it). There would be no point in taking it otherwise.

Luredbyapomegranate · 10/03/2022 13:15

St John's Wort will also affect your brain, that's how it works

Sertraline is more effective for most people, so if you and your GP have agreed you need it, I'd probably crack on with that, do some CBT and whatever else you need to do and then gradually reduce it when you are ready.

I take a low dose of sertraline (50mg) and been really good for removing my periodic very low moods. No other impact on brain function.

Original poster

AdmiralOrangeroo · 10/03/2022 13:16

@Luredbyapomegranate great to know you've noticed no impact on brain function, that was my other concern: what if I can't concentrate on work etc. I guess I'm drawing on old stereotypes about anti depressants as fogging you up

OP posts:

PerrinAybara · 10/03/2022 13:17

I'm on sertraline and find it really helps. Like you, I was reluctant to take it but I'm so glad I did. From my experience, I have to make sure not to have it on an empty stomach. And to take it with water.

I did try SJW many years ago and it made me feel awful mentally. But that may just have been me.

NiLunNiLautre · 10/03/2022 13:21

My daughter has been taking sertraline for a few years, and I think its no exaggeration to say it saved her life.
Prescription medication is rigorously tested, licensed; you'll be carefully reviewed and your dosage and side effects monitored. That will not be the case with otc supplements.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do and I hope things improve for you.

DoodleBelle · 10/03/2022 13:26

I took sertraline for anxiety a few years ago pre covid and was the same as you feeling very against taking it at first but I’d had a particularly bad day at work found myself pulling over having a panic attack on the drive home from work about nothing in particular and thought I can’t keep doing this. Absolute game changer for me! It took around 4/5 weeks to settle but it just felt like it reset me so I felt like myself again. I took it for around 7/8 months then slowly tapered off and stopped taking it. I haven’t had to return to it since and honestly think it just did it’s job as an antibiotic would to just clear the problem and allow me to live my life properly again. It didn’t get rid of all my problems, it didn’t change my personality or give me brain fog it just allowed me to regain my sense of self and lifted a huge weight from me that meant I could deal with day to day life so much easier and make some progress. I honestly couldn’t recommend it enough. Worth a try anyway! Good luck to you.

Original poster

AdmiralOrangeroo · 10/03/2022 13:29

@DoodleBelle that sounds exactly like what I need

OP posts:

Stompythedinosaur · 10/03/2022 15:00

Serialise is a recognised medical treatment and St John's Wort isn't. It isn't at all like a half way house. I would take the medication your doctor recommends.

All meds effect your brain - think about paracetamol for instance. It isn't preventing the pain but is stopping your brain from recognising it. Something effecting your brain isn't bad or scary.

Original poster

AdmiralOrangeroo · 10/03/2022 15:50

Yes I see that now. I just need to take the plunge, I don't know why I'm so nervous to start them

OP posts:

CurlyToStraight · 10/03/2022 17:39

@AdmiralOrangeroo

Yes I see that now. I just need to take the plunge, I don't know why I'm so nervous to start them

Go for it! It just may well be the start of a whole new, even more wonderful and happy you! And do let us know how you get on in a few weeks (do give it a few weeks though for it to take effect and for you to be find the correct dosage as it isn't an exact science.).

NiLunNiLautre · 10/03/2022 17:50

Just to add: SSRIs are generally very safe medicines with no long term risks, and if you find it doesn’t work for you for some reason then you can come off it and try something else. It’s not a huge risk.

Hope it works well for you.

Original poster

AdmiralOrangeroo · 10/03/2022 20:03

Thanks everybody I think I will now that I've read your responses. Do you know if it's better to take it in the morning or evening? Wondering if I should start right now!

OP posts:

Ellerehj · 10/03/2022 20:08

I've been on citalopram and sertraline for about 10 years on and off. The worst side affects wear off after about a month for me. I wouldn't be around today if it wasn't for them in all honesty! No shame in needing that help.

Lightbulbbb · 10/03/2022 20:16

I felt EXACTLY the same as you when I was prescribed sertraline for low mood and anxiety in the early autumn.

I tried St John’s Wort instead, as well as other things. I don’t know if it helped, but I also changed my job (because of my anxiety) which made an enormous difference. I also did a lot of other things like CBT and tried some walking lunchtime meditations. I shifted my bedtimes and my eating habits and I made sure I spent a certain amount of time every day outside.

I can’t say which made the biggest difference - probably all together, to be honest. (I don’t take the St. John’s wort anymore.)

I still have low-level anxiety, but I don’t feel as desperate as I did when I got prescribed the antidepressants.

I wanted to try everything else first, but I haven’t ruled the sertraline out entirely for one day if I think I need it. But this shift in lifestyle has made an enormous difference to me and I’m so glad I did it.

Jewel1968 · 10/03/2022 20:21

I have been taking SJW for a few weeks for low mood. I have on and off over the years taken it for short bursts. It seems to work for me. I sleep better with it too. I would take meds if SJW didn't work.

Original poster

AdmiralOrangeroo · 10/03/2022 20:35

@Lightbulbbb that has been my approach before (re diet etc) and it does work but this latest worsening of symptoms is triggered by events that are happening that I can't change. And I do feel a bit desperate. It's been creeping up for a while and the increased pressure has just tipped me over the edge so that I'm struggling to function properly. I didn't really think about the fact that SJW fiddles with the brain as well until PPs pointed it out, though it seems obvious now! Realising that has made me feel better about trying the sertraline though I'm nervous still.

@Ellerehj what kind of side effects did you have?

OP posts:

Lightbulbbb · 10/03/2022 20:48

[quote AdmiralOrangeroo]@Lightbulbbb that has been my approach before (re diet etc) and it does work but this latest worsening of symptoms is triggered by events that are happening that I can't change. And I do feel a bit desperate. It's been creeping up for a while and the increased pressure has just tipped me over the edge so that I'm struggling to function properly. I didn't really think about the fact that SJW fiddles with the brain as well until PPs pointed it out, though it seems obvious now! Realising that has made me feel better about trying the sertraline though I'm nervous still.

@Ellerehj what kind of side effects did you have?[/quote]
It really sounds you’re doing the right thing taking the sertraline in that case, OP.

My situation felt more in my control, but I know if it weren’t - and knowing how my nervous system reacts - then I wouldn’t hesitate to try it.

Flip